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Raaf Base Richmond Reinvestment Project Richmond

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Raaf Base Richmond Reinvestment Project Richmond RAAF BASE RICHMOND REINVESTMENT PROJECT RICHMOND, NSW STATEMENT OF EVIDENCE TO THE PARLIAMENTARY STANDING COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE CANBERRA, ACT August 2003 ii THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY BLANK TABLE OF CONTENTS Page INTRODUCTION 1 OBJECTIVE 2 BACKGROUND 2 Location 2 History of the Development of RAAF Base Richmond 2 Role of RAAF Base Richmond 3 GOVERNING CONSIDERATIONS 6 Master Planning Considerations 6 Defence Capability 6 THE REQUIREMENT 7 Number 36 & 37 Squadrons’ Headquarter Complex 8 Mechanical Equipment Operations and Maintenance Section 9 Number 33 Squadron Hangar Works 11 Number 36 & 37 Squadron Workshop and Hangar Works 12 High Voltage Reticulation Upgrade 14 Ablution Facilities 15 Stormwater Upgrade 16 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS 18 Design Standards 18 Design Philosophy 18 Philosophy Adopted for the Design of the Fire Protection System 19 Philosophy Adopted for Energy Management and Lighting 20 Philosophy Adopted for Precautions against Legionella 20 Design Features 20 Acoustics 21 ii ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS 21 Cost of Works 21 Construction Workforce 22 Timings 22 Environmental Implications 22 Heritage Implications 22 CONSULTATION WITH EXTERNAL AUTHORITIES 23 DELIVERY MECHANISM 24 OTHER RELATED DEFENCE WORKS 24 FUTURE WORKS AT RAAF BASE RICHMOND 24 ANNEXES A. RAAF BASE RICHMOND LOCATION PLAN B. RAAF BASE RICHMOND EXISTING BASE LAYOUT C-1. Proposed Works – Eastern Portion C-2. Proposed Works – Western Portion D. Number 33, 36 & 37 Squadron Headquarters Complex Concept E. Mechanical Equipment Operations and Maintenance Section Concept F. Ablution Facilities Concept 1 INTRODUCTION 1. RAAF Base Richmond is a major operational base that supports the delivery of airlift capability for the ADF. Although the RAAF has a long history at Richmond, over the past decade there has been some uncertainty over the longer-term future of the Base. Given this uncertainty, Defence has made only limited investment in maintaining the infrastructure and facilities during that period. Consequently, the Base has deteriorated over time and if an appropriate investment is not made this may adversely affect capability. On 27 August 1998, the Prime Minister announced that RAAF Base Richmond would not close before 2010. This provides the basis for reinvestment in the Base to maintain existing capabilities at least until that time. 2. RAAF Base Richmond contributes to the support of Air and Land Force capabilities.1 Australia’s strategic and tactical Air Lift units operate from and are maintained at RAAF Base Richmond. Army units that are integrally linked with the Air Lift capability are also based or at times supported from RAAF Base Richmond. People are another key and integral element of capability.2 People in operational and supporting units need to be properly trained and equipped so that when required they can undertake their operational tasks. Consequently, the facilities and infrastructure used to support these people and equipment systems need to be appropriate and in a serviceable condition. 3. This proposal seeks Parliamentary approval for a $35 million reinvestment at RAAF Base Richmond. This project in not a Base redevelopment but rather a limited capital reinvestment to protect Commonwealth assets and maintain existing operational capabilities until such time as a Government decision is made about the longer-term future of the Base. This project seeks to address immediate deficiencies in working accommodation, support facilities and engineering services. Without the reinvestment, the Base infrastructure will continue to degrade and may adversely impact on operations. 1 Defence 2000, Our Future Defence Force, Commonwealth of Australia, 2000, pp77-94 2 ibid, pp61-74 2 OBJECTIVE 4. The objective of this project is to ensure that RAAF Base Richmond can continue to deliver operational capability to meet Government objectives. The uncertain longer-term strategic outlook for RAAF Base Richmond has resulted in minimal investment over recent years despite significant increases in the operational rate of effort for the deployment of aircraft and personnel. This project seeks to improve, as far as practical, safety and amenity deficiencies to maintain existing capabilities for the medium term.3 BACKGROUND Location 5. The Base occupies approximately 270 hectares of land and is located between the communities of Richmond and Windsor, approximately 60 kilometres west northwest of Sydney. A Base Location Plan is provided at Annex A. Windsor Road runs along the southern perimeter of the Base and is linked to Percival Road, which provides access to the Base. The existing Base layout is at Annex B. The Base is located within the Hawkesbury water catchment area that serves as the major backup water supply for the district. History of the Development of RAAF Base Richmond 6. RAAF Base Richmond was established as a base for military aircraft on the site of a State Government owned flying school and commenced operations in 1925. The first RAAF squadron to be located at Richmond was Number 3 (Composite) Squadron when it moved there in July 1925. RAAF activities increased at the Base during the 1930s and by the outbreak of World War II, four RAAF flying Squadrons were based at Richmond, together with an aircraft depot. During the war, Richmond developed into a base of major importance to Australia’s defence. Since World War II the major organisation to be formed at RAAF Base Richmond was the Air Lift Group in February 1987. 3 This project does not address relocation issues of various units or the longer-term future of units at the Base. 3 7. In recognition for its role in developing Australia’s air defences from Pre-World War II until the present day, RAAF Base Richmond will be placed on the ‘Interim List’ on the Register of the National Estate – Australia’s list of natural and cultural heritage places.4 Despite changing requirements over time, RAAF Base Richmond retains almost all of its original structure and fabric. In developing this proposal Defence has been cognizant of the heritage significance of the Base. 8. Since the last PWC report to consider Richmond (Twelfth Report of 1995) the following capital works have been delivered: S Base Education Facility 1997 - $2.5m S Aircraft Engine Run-up Facility 1997 - $4.0m S Alcohol Rehabilitation and Education Program 1997 - $1.8m S Field Training Flight 1997 - $1.6m S B707 and C130 Simulator Facility 1998 - $5.6m S Corporate Services and Infrastructure – Richmond 1998 - $4.5m S Upgrade Living-in-Accommodation 1998 - $5.2m S No. 486 Squadron Flightline Management Services Interim Contract Support Store 1998 - $2.6m S Mobile Hospital Storage Facility 2002 - $0.7m Role of RAAF Base Richmond 9. Today, RAAF Base Richmond is a large ADF Base accommodating the RAAF’s Air Lift Group, Army and other support units. The Base supports approximately 1800 military personnel and between 800 and 850 civilians and contractors. Established facilities at 4 http://www.ahc.gov.au/news/mediareleases/2003/raaf-bases.html 4 RAAF Base Richmond are fully utilised. Owing to the shortage of habitable working accommodation on-base, 39 demountable buildings have been installed which accommodate 300 to 450 personnel, depending upon training activities. 10. The major force elements located at Richmond are: Headquarters Air Lift Group. The Air Lift Group performs command, transport operations, maintenance, training and logistic support. S Headquarters 84 Wing is located at Richmond and comprises 33 Squadron (Richmond, NSW), 32 Squadron (East Sale, Victoria) and 34 Squadron (Fairburn, ACT). S Headquarters 85 Wing is located at Richmond and comprises 285 Squadron and Air Movements Training and Development Unit. It is responsible for providing all necessary training for 84 and 86 Wings. S Headquarters 86 Wing is located at Richmond and comprises 36 & 37 Squadrons (Richmond, NSW) and 38 Squadron (Amberley, QLD). Combat Support Group (headquarters located at Amberley, QLD). The role of the Combat Support Group is to prepare and train for the provision of Combat Support Services to deployed RAAF operations. In peacetime, 386 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron located at Richmond provides those services to the Base. The other elements of Combat Support Group located at Richmond are: S Combat Support Unit, Richmond S Headquarters 1 Air Terminal Squadron S 1 Air Terminal Squadron Detachment, Richmond S 1 Combat Communications Squadron S 3 RAAF Combat Support Hospital S 22 Squadron 5 Others S Air Force (headquarters located in Canberra) S Management Services Australia, Richmond S RAAF Training Command (headquarters located in Melbourne) S Airwoman/Airmen Leadership Flight, Richmond S RAAF Air Command Band S Surveillance and Control Group (headquarters located in Williamtown) S Air Traffic Control Flight, Richmond S Defence Materiel Organisation (headquarters located in Canberra) S Air Lift Systems Programs Office, Richmond S Army Units S 176 Air Dispatch Unit S 15 Ground Liaison Section S Corporate Support and Infrastructure - Richmond S United States Air Force S Detachment 1, 635 Air Mobility Support Squadron S Contractors S Serco Sodexho S Defence Maintenance Management S Qantas Defence Services S Lockheed Martin S Australian Aerospace 6 S Marshall Aerospace S Air New Zealand Engineering Services GOVERNING CONSIDERATIONS Master Planning Considerations 11. There is no master plan for RAAF Base Richmond. However, master planning principles have been applied to the development of this project to ensure that
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